If you’re looking to jumpstart your health and/or weight loss journey, the Whole 30 Program may seem enticing. It offers a reset for your body, which can leave you in a good place to continue healthy habits.
What is the Whole 30 Diet?
The Whole 30 Program is a simplistic way of eating that cuts out many of our modern conveniences. First, let’s look at what you can eat on this diet.
- Meat, seafood, and eggs
- Vegetables and fruit
- Natural fats
- Herbs, spices, and seasonings
And that’s about it. On this diet, you’ll have to cut virtually anything that isn’t on this list, and that includes all processed foods, added sugars (real or artificial), alcohol, grains, dairy, and more.
And although it sounds simple, it’s definitely not easy — especially when it’s contrary to the way you’ve been eating for a lifetime. So in this post, we’re going to cover 6 tips to help you rock that first Whole 30 month. You can upgrade your diet while making Whole 30 fun.
1. Set a reasonable start date
Before you start the Whole 30 Program, you are going to need to be prepared. So don’t make the mistake of setting a start date that will set you back. Make sure you can stock your pantry and refrigerator with all the supplies you’ll need to be successful. Here’s a Whole 30 shopping list that can help you prepare. Ideally, you should be able to plan a shopping/pantry clearing day before you start the diet.
2. Find premade foods
One of the main reasons people fail on this diet is because they don’t have time for all the food prep. But there’s some good news. With this plan, you’ll avoid all processed foods, but not all prepared foods are processed. On the Whole 30 plan, you can have almond milk, sparkling water, ghee, oils, and sauces. All of these items will have to be free of added sugars, MSG, sulfites, and carrageenan. And for those days when you simply can’t cook, create a plan. Figure out where you can get prepared foods that haven’t been processed. This may include salads or prepared vegetables, and it may also include pre-cooked chicken.
3. Join a support group
There are plenty of Whole 30 support groups you can join for support and advice from fellow dieters. Sometimes, a little support can go a long way. And for additional support and inspiration, follow Whole 30 Instagram and Twitter accounts.
4. Stop counting
The entire purpose of the Whole 30 program is to get healthier without feeling like you’re really dieting. It’s about resetting your relationship with food and getting to enjoy food in its natural state again. In order to accomplish this, you’ll need to stop counting calories and stepping on the scale.
5. Avoid elaborate recipes
If you want to stick to this diet for 30 days, you’re going to want to make it as easy as possible. There are a number of elaborate Whole 30 recipes out there that attempt to recreate foods you are supposed to avoid, but these may be more effort than they are worth. Instead of trying to fill your month with fancy (elaborate) recipes, stick to the basics most of the time.
6. Cut yourself some slack
As with anything, you aren’t going to want to hold yourself to standards of perfection. Set realistic goals and do your best to accomplish them. If you mess up, just get back on the program as soon as possible.
The Whole 30 Program has so many benefits, and it’s totally doable. Remember, this 30-day commitment can have a positive impact on our health.
